New England Soccer Today

Madrid Sinks All-Stars in PKs

Photo credit: MLS

Dom Dwyer scored an 87th minute equalizer, but the MLS All-Stars fell on penalties in Wednesday’s 1-1 (4-2 on PKs) loss to Real Madrid in front of 61,428 fans at Soldier Field in Chicago during the annual midsummer showcase.

Dwyer’s goal originated from a Diego Valeri corner that Dax McCarty flicked off the post before it fell to the newest Orlando City striker, who shoved it onto the back of the net to send the match to penalties after 90 minutes.

But Madrid’s Marcelo sent through the winning penalty not long after Dwyer’s try was saved and Giovani dos Santos sent his effort off the woodwork to put the All-Stars in an early 0-2 hole.

Madrid’s Borja Mayoral scored the breakthrough in the 59th minute while Gareth Bale smacked the far post in the 68th minute. Superstar striker Cristiano Ronaldo, who sat out Madrid’s International Champions Cup matches, did not partake in Wednesday’s clash.

Cranston, R.I. native and Atlanta United defender Michael Parkhurst manned one of the center back spots for the All-Stars during the second half. He prevented a potential second goal for the guests in the 79th minute when he cleared a Karim Benzema ball away from the six.

The All-Stars donned retro-themed jerseys similar to the ones worn by the U.S. Men’s National Team squad during the 1994 World Cup.

Wednesday’s scoreline marked the second straight occasion the All-Stars were unable to emerge victorious against a European power. The league’s best fell 2-1 to Arsenal last year.

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